IT’S La Salle’s turn to show that first-round giant Far Eastern University no longer looks invincible.

Jason Perkins fueled a strong start and Jeron Teng came through the clutch as the Green Archers blasted the skidding Tamaraws, 75-66, yesterday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’ve been telling my players to be mentally tough and prepared,” said coach Juno Sauler after the Archers pinned a second straight loss on the Tamaraws, who have yet to win after a seven-game sweep of the first round.

Perkins fired 13 of his 18 points in the first half where the Archers pulled ahead by as many as 22 points, 43-21. The Filipino-American rookie also grabbed 13 rebounds.

Earlier, National University cruised past Adamson, 80-48, and moved within striking distance of the top spot with a 6-3 record, just a game away from the Tamaraws.

Emmanuel Mbe and Ray Parks powered the Bulldogs’ dominant start where they zoomed to a 21-7 lead and never looked back.

The Archers crashed the top four with a 5-4 card, while the Falcons fell to 3-6.

Teng added 16 points, including six in the last six minutes that helped protect the Archers’ lead, 71-62, after the Tamaraws had rallied within a bucket, 62-60, behind Mark Belo.

“We’ve talked about the mistakes we committed in the first round and we made sure to learn from them,” said Teng after the Archers avenged their first-round heartbreak to the Tamaraws in overtime, 79-83, after blowing a 13-point lead in the last three minutes of regulation.

Top MVP contender Terrence Romeo, who shot a season-low eight points in the Tamaraws’ 58-59 loss to the Bulldogs last Wednesday, struggled anew with 12 on a 4-of-18 shooting clip.

Mbe collected 21 points, 10 rebounds and four steals, while Parks also had a solid outing of 16 points, six boards and five assists.

“It all boiled down to our stops,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “Fortunately for this team, we were able to run. We were able to get shots off our transition. That really helped us.”

The Bulldogs overwhelmed the Falcons in every department, including rebounds (41-30), fastbreak points (23-3) and points off turnover (20-8 ).

“I’m very proud of the boys,” said Altamirano. “They executed the game plan very well.”

“We just have to make adjustments and prepare for the next games. We expect teams to pick up, kita naman kahit noong first round pa lang,” says FEU coach Nash Racela. Jerome Ascano

FAR EASTERN University coach Nash Racela is not pushing the panic button following the Tamaraws’ slump to start off the second round of the UAAP, saying a few minor adjustments should put them right back on track.

Racela admitted that the Tamaraws are still groping for form following a two-week break during the country’s hosting of the Fiba-Asia Championship.

The Tamaraws have lost two straight games including a 75-66 defeat to La Salle on Sunday, but Racela believes his team is beginning to get back to the form that allowed it to go spotless in the first round.

“It might be a spillover from the first game (of the second round) but we got our timing back sa second and third quarters. By that time, malaki na ang lamang, mahirap na,” Racela said.

Following its defeat against National University on August 14, Racela said that his wards have responded well to their shocking loss that broke their seven-game winning run.

“Okay naman sila in terms of 'yung outlook. Smooth sailing tayo pero itong second round, teams are adjusting. We lost two games. It’s adversity on our part. We just have to collectively find solutions and it starts with the coaches,” said Racela.

The Tamaraws are facing a tough schedule beginning with a Sunday game against University of the East, whis has won four straight games and is only two games behind FEU in the standings.

The Tamaraws then play Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas on August 28 and September 1, respectively.

“We just have to make adjustments and prepare for the next games. We expect teams to pick up, kita naman kahit noong first round pa lang,” said Racela.

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U survived a roller-coaster game, grinding out a hard-earned 98-94 double overtime victory over University of the East to arrest a mild skid and stay on top in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

The Tams drew a college career-high 30 points from Terrence Romeo, the same player who scored a league-best 83 points in his junior year. He was supported by Gryann Mendoza (15), Mike Tolomia (13), and Anthony Hargrove (12) as well as a host of bench players who made up for the absence of suspended RR Garcia in notching their first win after a 0-2 start in the second round.

An overjoyed and relieved FEU coach Nash Racela entered the press-room after his wards picked up their eighth win in 10 games, maintaining a one-win cushion against second-running National U (7-3). The Warriors saw their three-game roll halted and dropped to 5-4 in a tie for fourth with Ateneo, which nipped Adamson in the first game, 79-66.

“I’m happy because my players didn’t give up. There was one point in the first overtime when we’re down by seven with seconds to go and I told them anything is possible and they believed that. I’m so, so proud of my team. This is the first time I’m saying this,” he said.

“I’m relieved because it finally ended after two overtimes. I don’t know how but this kind of games makes you stronger. To think that RR wasn’t there,” he added.

FEU appeared headed for an easy win when they seized an 11-point lead in regulation, but UE made a fierce fightback and forced the extra period. The Tams found themselves staring at a 77-84 deficit with 22 seconds left in the first OT but drew deep from their willpower to tie things up behind the triples of Mendoza and Tolomia in between Romeo’s basket.

Mendoza and Romeo joined hands in an 8-0 salvo to give FEU a 95-91 cushion in the second extension, as Hargrove helped put the finishing touches with a bucket and a split in the end game.

Earlier, defending champion Ateneo squandered a 27-point lead but recovered in time to beat Adamson and vault closer to the upper half of the standings.

It was the fourth straight victory for the Blue Eagles, who improved to 5-4 overall.

Romeo shakes off injury to dish off career game in Garcia's absence
By Reuben Terrado

August 25, 2013, 10:32 pm

FEU Tamaraws guard Terrence Romeo aggravated an ankle injury he suffered in practice when he stepped on the foot of UE center Charles Mammie. Jerome Ascano

ONE of the best games in Terrence Romeo’s career couldn’t have come at a better time.

Romeo scored a career high 30 points as he played the hero’s role in Far Eastern University’s morale-boosting 98-94 double overtime victory over University of the East Sunday that snapped the Tamaraws’ two-game losing skid in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

The effort was actually the flamboyant FEU guards best offensive effort since scoring 83 points in a high school game while still with the Baby Tamaraws years back.

And he did it with his backcourt partner RR Garcia missing the contest due to a one-game suspension.

But Romeo actually nearly missed the game against the Warriors after suffering a left ankle sprain in practice, an injury he aggravated when he landed on Charles Mammie’s foot while throwing up a three-point attempt early in the fourth period.

MANILA, Philippines — With tremendous effort from both sides, Far Eastern University had the last say and survived University of the East 98-94 in double overtime Sunday in the UAAP season 79 men’s basketball tournament.

The Tamaraws, which blew a 17-point lead in regulation then had to play catch up mostly in the extra 10 minutes, arrested a two-game slide and protected their hold of the top spot with an 8-2 record.

Terrence Romeo, who struggled in the last two games, finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, and had a massive triple three with 2:07 left in second OT which gave the Tamaraws a 95-91 breather.

But that spread was sparked by a triple from Gryann Mendoza 22 seconds earlier to pull FEU within one. It was another timely trey from the forward, who earlier in the first OT foiled an inbound play by UE then uncorked a triple which set up Mike Tolomia’s heroics.

Tolomia, who fouled Roi Sumang twice from beyond the arch in the act of shooting in the fourth period, made amends by drilling a crucial triple with 3.1 seconds left in first OT which tied the game anew at 85.

Those triples fueled the Tamaraws, who were without former MVP RR Garcia, all game, especially when they needed it most.

Mendoza and Tolomia added 15 and 13 markers, respectively for the Tamaraws and also combined for nine of their 22 assists.

Anthony Hargrove also had 12 points including last three FEU points.

The Warriors, meanwhile, saw their four-game winning streak snapped for a 5-4 card after missing on several attempts to put the Tamaraws away in the OT.

UE lost a seven point lead late in the first OT, then a winded Roi Sumang just made one of his two freethrows with 11.3 seconds left which the paved way for the Tamaraws to send the game into another five minutes.

Sumang had 25 points on 6-of-19 shooting, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Ralf Olivares, whose jumper tied the game 70 at the end of regulation, added 21 points.

Charles Mammie’s monster effort with 17 points and 27 rebounds, a new season best, was put to waste as the Red Warriors dropped to 5-4.

The FEU Tamaraws try to arrest a two-game losing skid without suspended RR Garcia when they collide with the red-hot UE Red Warriors, who have won four in a row.

Test after test after test.

With its invincibility dashed by back-to-back losses, Far Eastern University attempts to get back on track in the 76th UAAP men's basketball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws take on red-hot University of the East in the main game at 4 p.m., with FEU the underdogs as they will be playing without suspended star guard and former MVP RR Garcia.

Garcia, who averages 13.9 points per game, was slapped a one-game suspension by the UAAP for incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls, the last of which was during the Tamaraws' loss to De La Salle University last Sunday.

And if FEU is bent on arresting its alarming skid, then top MVP contender Terrence Romeo should start making baskets.

Romeo, who normed more than 20 points in the first round, has been limited to just a total of 20 points in his last two games, making only 7 of 35 shots.

But if there's any consolation for the Tamaraws is that their losses have been close and a few breaks of the game could have made them 9-0.

On the other hand, the Red Warriors have been firing on all cylinders after a slow start and will look to get FEU as their fifth straight victim.

Roi Sumang almost singlehandedly powered UE to a comeback win over University of Santo Tomas, when the Warriors clawed back from an 11-point deficit in the final period to eke out a win.

Without Garcia to put the clamps on him, Sumang would definitely give coach Nash Racela headaches even as Charles Mammie gets the chance to finally impose his might against Anthony Hargrove.

Terrence Romeo scored a career-high 30 in the seniors division as he powered FEU to a double-overtime victory over UE.

Coming off after a bruising battle, coach Nash Racela only felt two things: joy and relief.

Joy because his wards never ever gave up, not even after staring at a seven-point deficit with 23 seconds left.

Relief because that grueling game -- one played through 50 minutes of basketball time and probably double that in total action -- is finally over.

And when everything was said and done, it was Racela's Far Eastern University who emerged on top after beating University of the East, 98-94, in the 76th UAAP men's basketball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Terrence Romeo broke out of a slump and recorded a career-high 30 points -- including five in the second overtime -- while also grabbing seven rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Tamaraws.

Gryann Mendoza played the hero's role, too, and submitted the best game of his life with 15 points, 13 rebounds and four three-pointers -- two of them drained in the most crucial of moments.

Mike Tolomia wouldn't be left behind, forcing second overtime with that dagger of a three and wounding up with 13 markers, seven boards and six assists.

"I told them nothing is impossible," said Racela. "At least tonight, they believed in me. I'm so proud of them. I think this is the first time I'll say that I'm so, so proud of them."

But it was a win that almost never was for FEU, who led by 17 early in the fourth period only to collapse as Roi Sumang and Ralf Olivares stepped on the gas pedal to force overtime.

A triple by Archie Inigo handed the Tamaraws a 65-48 advantage with almost eight minutes left in the game and FEU still looked headed for an easy victory after two free-throws by Carl Cruz shoved them ahead, 69-58, with 4:04 remaining.

Then Sumang and Olivares went to work.

Sumang, the spitfire guard, made two free-throws and drilled a three-pointer to make it 69-63 with 2:51 left on the clock.

Romeo then split his charities to bring it back to seven for the Tamaraws, but Olivares and Sumang conspired for a regulation-closing 7-0 run that turned what has been a rout into a nail-biter.

The Warriors continued to pound FEU in overtime and this time looked headed for the win after an Olivares basket put them up, 84-77, with just 23 seconds remaining.

The Tamaraws, however, would not be denied.

Romeo scored an easy basket before Mendoza converted a triple off a botched inbounds play to make it 84-82 in a span of nine seconds.

Sumang was fouled in the ensuing play but made just one of two foul shots.

Down three with 11 seconds left, Tolomia pulled up for a three with just three ticks remaining to force a second extra period just when FEU was given up for dead already.

Romeo then starred in an 8-4 run that gave the Tamaraws a 95-91 lead midway through the second overtime.

With players from both teams cramping up, it was FEU who proved to be steadier, with Anthony Hargrove sealing the deal with three more points.

"It's no secret that we wanted to win," Racela added. "We just wanted to get a win. That was very tough to get rid of the past."

Sumang delivered 25 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, Olivares had 21 markers and Charles Mammie hauled down 17 points, 27 rebounds and two blocks for UE.